Gov Otti Set to Kick Off Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road Reconstruction as Tinubu Prepares to Commission Port Harcourt Road, Others

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced that plans are almost complete for the long-awaited reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, which has remained in a deplorable condition for years.

Speaking on Thursday at the monthly media parley, “Governor Otti Speaks,” held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia, the Governor revealed that the flag-off of the project will take place in the coming weeks.

According to him, his administration placed priority on roads from the onset because they are the backbone of economic activities. He noted that accessible road networks are critical to reviving Abia’s economy.

“We are not resting on our oars when it comes to infrastructure, particularly roads. We attacked the first set of bad roads and delivered them. Now we’ve moved on to the next phase, and we’ll keep going until everywhere is accessible,” Otti assured.

The Governor also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will visit Abia next week to commission the newly completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba, along with several others including Ohanku, Ndoki, and Peoples Road.

“The President will be here on Friday next week to commission Port Harcourt Road and other completed projects in Aba. Final arrangements are ongoing, and I expect residents will turn out in their numbers to celebrate this milestone,” he added.

Beyond road construction, Otti highlighted other ongoing projects. The Greater Aba Development Agency (GADA) is currently handling about ten road projects in Aba, while also supervising the renovation of the Enyimba Hotel and Aba Leisure Park. The Governor promised that the first phase of Enyimba Hotel’s renovation will be delivered before the end of next year.

On agriculture, he announced the commencement of a Pilot Rice Farming Scheme in Owerrinta, designed to boost food security and position Abia as a major rice producer in Nigeria. He further revealed that over 45,000 farmers and 58,000 hectares of arable land have already been captured through new technology-driven data collection, ensuring that government support reaches only genuine farmers.

Turning to security, Otti commended security agencies for their efforts in keeping the state peaceful and urged residents to remain vigilant, especially as the ember months approach. He also revealed ongoing renovations at the Aba prison, emphasizing that the upgrade is aimed at modernizing facilities rather than expanding inmate capacity.

With road reconstruction, agricultural reforms, urban renewal, and security upgrades all in motion, Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring Abia’s lost glory and building a sustainable economy for its people.